China to host Miss Tourism contest for the first time

The final of this year’s Miss Tourism of the Globe contest will take place in Zhongwei, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, from Oct 7 to 14 – the first time for the event to be held in China.

In fact, the city will stage the final of the event for the coming five years. In doing so, the government of Zhongwei aims to promote the city internationally and expects the event to give the local tourism industry and the economy a strong boost.

Forty contestants from 70 different countries and regions will take part in this year’s event, said the spokeswoman for the organizers Li Mushuang, herself a contestant two years ago.

Fan Jiahong, head of Zhongwei Tourism Development Committee, said the final will be held in Shapotou, a national five-A level tourism site and desert reserve.

Shapotou, renowned for its achievements in desertification control, was granted a Global 500 Roll of Honor for Environmental Achievement award by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1994.

“Shapotou is endowed with unique tourism assets such as deserts, mountains and the Yellow River,” Fan said.

“With the staging of the event there, we can look forward to a great spectacle that takes in natural scenery and combines that with a high-tech presentation.”

The competition aims to select an ambassador of tourism in each country and region and boost tourism exchanges internationally.